Research Assistant (AI-driven Remote Sensing of Coastal Change)

27 April 2026

25 May 2026

Glasgow

Research and Teaching

197533

25 May 2026 23:45

Job description

Job Purpose

The primary purpose of this job is to develop, test, validate and deploy automated remote sensing methods for monitoring coastal change. These activities will contribute to a project EU Horizon TERRA (An Intelligent platform for integrating climate services) working with Drs Christos Anagnostopoulos, Zhiwei Gao and Martin Hurst.

The TERRA project envisions the creation of services and product chains that fuse Copernicus services with Digital Twins and AI technologies to provide solutions for coastline detection, coastline erosion prediction, flood risk assessment and mitigation, water pollution assessment and coastline modelling. TERRA provides the framework to promote its outcomes through the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS).

The team at University of Glasgow have been developing novel approaches to remote sensing coastal monitoring through automated extraction and analyses of water and vegetation edge indicators using Machine Learning and AI-driven methods. These methods have been demonstrated to be accurate at sub-pixel scale resolution in small test cases. The team will develop a Digital Twin (DT) for monitoring coastal change from satellite remote sensing. The DT will leverage satellite imagery with ongoing real-time updates as new satellite images are acquired for monitoring coastal change. The main aim of the demonstrator in TERRA is to upscale the deployment of such AI/ML algorithms with a view to creating an automated coastal monitoring platform capable of ingesting new satellite images as and when they become available and updating coastal change assessments automatically.

The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to the research activities, experimental demonstrations of the TERRA platform, submission of research publications and help manage and direct this complex and challenging project as opportunities allow.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Perform the following activities in conjunction with and under the guidance of the Principal/Co-Investigators:

1. Plan and conduct assigned research individually or jointly following the project deliverables and project/group/School/College research strategy.

2. Document research output including analysis, interpretation, and processing of data, maintaining records and databases, and drafting technical/progress reports and papers as appropriate.

3. Develop and enhance your research profile and reputation and that of The University of Glasgow, School of Computing Science (Knowledge and Data Engineering Systems), James Watt School of Engineering and School of Geographical & Earth Sciences (Glasgow Computational Engineering Centre) including contributing to publications of international quality in high profile/quality refereed journals, enhancing the research impact in terms of societal benefit, and gathering indicators of esteem.

4. Contribute to the presentation of work at TERRA’s consortium and partners, international and national conferences, internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research profile.

5. Contribute to the identification of potential funding sources and assist in the development of proposals to secure funding from internal and external bodies to support future research.

6. Collaborate with colleagues and participate in team/group/meetings/ seminars/ workshops across the research team of this project, the TERRA consortium partners, College of Science and Engineering and the University and wider community.

7. Contribute to the organisation, supervision, mentoring and training of undergraduate and/or postgraduate students and less experienced members of the project team to ensure their effective development.

8. Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the research TERRA project, research groups and School, including Budgets/Expenditures.

9. Carry out modest Teaching activities, e.g. demonstrating and tutorials, and associated admin as assigned by the Head of School and in consultation with the Principal Investigator.

10. Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field/discipline of TERRA project.

11. Engage in continuing professional development activities as appropriate.

12. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the academic leads, PI and Co-PIs of this project.

13. Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, World Changers Together.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge and Qualifications

Essential:

A1 SCQF Level 10 (Honours degree) in Computing Science or equivalent.

A2 Specialist theoretical and practical knowledge in one or more of the following: artificial intelligence, machine learning, remote sensing, image analysis, computer programming, data analysis, coastal geomorphology.

A3 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of the wider subject area or subject specialism at the intersection of Computer and Environmental Sciences, and/or Computer Science and/or Environmental Science.

Desirable:

B1 Experience in research in artificial intelligence, machine learning, remote sensing, image analysis, data processing and programming.

B2 Experience in research using remote sensing for environmental science applications, such as in coastal geomorphology, oceanography or marine sciences.

B3 Experience in using AI for research and programming.

Skills

Essential:

C1 Image segmentation and processing data using AI, Machine Learning, Deep Learning or observational methods.

C2 Computer programming in Python or similar.

C3 Research creativity and cross-discipline collaborative ability as appropriate.

C4 Excellent communication skills (oral and written), including public presentations and the ability to communicate complex data/concepts clearly and concisely.

C5 Self-motivation, initiative and independent thought/working.

Experience

Essential:

E1 Sufficient relevant research experience (or equivalent) appropriate to an early career researcher.

E2 Research on using AI in image analysis, data processing, programming and ML model training.

E3 Evidence of an emerging track record of publications in a relevant field.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 6, £33,951 - £37,694 per annum pro rata.

This post is part time (18 hours per week) and fixed term for up to 9 months in the first instance.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.

Closing Date: 25 May 2026 at 23:45